The 2020 NFL offseason was very different for obvious reasons. But 2021 has its own unique complexities that are coloring how things ultimately play out. Arguably one of the most significant qualities unique (hopefully) to this offseason is the absence of a formal, full-fledged NFL Scouting Combine.
While it can certainly be argued that the Combine is overvalued, there is a lot of important information to be gleaned from those days there, including the in-person player-to-team interactions, which can only be partially replicated through Pro Days. Pittsburgh Steelers’ president Art Rooney II earlier this offseason talked about the complications of the offseason and the draft without the Combine.